Governance and Ethics Committee Meeting - May 21, 2026

The City of Santa Clara Governance and Ethics Committee met on May 21, 2026, primarily to discuss updates to the council policy on reconsideration of council actions (Council Policy 042). The committee reviewed the existing policy, last revised in 2020, focusing on clarifying procedural aspects such as who can request and make motions for reconsideration, the definition of the prevailing party, and the handling of new evidence or facts during reconsideration. Extensive discussion addressed nuances including the role of absent members in votes, the process for agendaizing reconsideration items, and the need for clearer definitions to avoid inconsistent interpretations. The committee directed staff to incorporate clarifications, including a table defining prevailing party scenarios, and to return with a revised policy for further consideration. Additionally, the committee discussed meeting management protocols and the scheduling of future meetings to accommodate thorough policy reviews. No contract awards, procurement decisions, or budget allocations were addressed during this meeting.